431 



solution boiled for a long time ; when cold a considerable amount of an orange- 

 brown substance precipitated, and when this was removed it was found to be 

 identical in every respect with the first precipitated powder from the hot 

 extraction of the bark. From the clear filtrate the sulphuric acid was removed 

 by barium carbonate, the organic substances by lead acetate, and the lead 

 by sulphuretted hydrogen. The filtrate, when evaporated down, reduced 

 Fehling's solution copiously, and contained a considerable amount of reducing 

 sugars. 



It thus appears that the original substance in the bark of this tree is 

 largely a glucoside, and that it has tanning properties, as it combines with 

 hide substance. It appears to be slowly hydrolised naturally, and the insoluble 

 substance of the glucoside is deposited in the bark cells in a powdery con- 

 dition, which gives the characteristic colour to the bark. The dry powder from 

 the hydrolised glucoside is but little soluble in cold water, although the gluco- 

 side itself is largely soluble. 



The total amount extracted from the air-dried bark with boiling water 



was 33.8%. 



The clear tannin solution, after removal of the substances insoluble in" 

 cold water, contained 24.1%. After treatment with hide-powder in the usual 

 way the corrected non-tannins equalled 12.2%, so that the substances absorbed 

 by hide-powder represented 11.9%. 



The amount of moisture in the bark was 11.8%. 



In Kirk's "Forest Flora of New Zealand," p. 10, it is stated that a red 

 dye was formerly extracted by the Maoris from the bark of the New Zealand 

 tree, Phyllocladus trichomanoides , also that the bark of that tree possesses a 

 special value in the preparations of basils for kid gloves, and has realised from 

 £30 to £50 per ton m London for that purpose, but that the demand is inter- 

 mittent, 



The Museum sample of the bark of this species of Phyllocladus from New 

 Zealand has a strong resemblance to that of the Tasmanian species, but it is 

 thicker, and less brightly coloured. 



